During the General Audience of September 20, 2017, over which he presided in St. Peter’s Square, the Pontiff greeted Arabic-speaking pilgrims, “in particular, those from the Middle East.”

“Dear brothers and sisters, don’t surrender to the night. Work for peace in the midst of men and respect everyone’s way, because each one has his story to tell,” he said to them.

“May the Lord bless you!” he concluded.

In his catechesis on education to hope, the Holy Father said “have always the courage of truth, but remember, you aren’t superior to anyone. Even if you remained the last to believe in truth, don’t shun the company of men because of this . . . bear in your heart the suffering of every creature.”